BRIEF REPORT - HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION AND TIME TRAVEL , 17 TO 27 MARCH 2010

Overall Assessement

The Programme for March was a success as per report by Ebbe, read below. It is important to stress that our region has been exposed widely to the  Time Travel method and realised its value , not only as a teaching method, but recording OUR HISTORY. At local level  there is a crying need before it  is forever forgotten and lost.

Since this facilitation by Kalmar Lans Museum,  we realised that this powerful method is helping in bringing about understanding and healing of a divided past history, of reconciliation and even development through finding creative ways in identifying and preserving our Heritage. These heritage sites can become public places for families and tourist- even creating jobs.

We need to develop to become fully reliant and independent in achieving the above objective. This will take time as institutions and organisations need to come on board and become part of the mainstream in schools, museums and municipalities. Until then, we made a start but is far from achieving this objective. we need Ebbe and team to continue what was started!

Gulshera Khan- Volunteer Time Travel Co-ordinator

TIME TRAVEL ACTIVITY WITH EDUCATORS AND CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS - 19 March 2010

B

Tim and Ravi Pather from Dept. of Education as indentured labourers, 1905

By Ebbe - March 2010 Progress


• Three successful and quite different workshops in Port Shepstone and Umzumbe.

• A very engaged Time Travel Committee in Port Shepstone.

• Good cooperation with KZN Museum Service.

• A committe for HCM Primary Schools and Time Travels elected.

• A group for identifying stakeholders interested in recording of violence/struggle in Port Shepstone region elected.

• The workshop on the struggle/violence was quite emotional and it is obvious that many people want to tell their often traumatic stories. The healing process in the communities will take a long time. The school needs to find their own way to teach about the violence, record stories and develop a Time Travel.

• Big interest in Umzumbe for cooperation on the Time Travel method. Several sites and stories were mentioned.

• Days decided for the national conference in Port Shepstone, 20-21 October, and also a draft program. Theme: Social Cohesion through Time Travels.

• Interesting conference on the violence in KZN. Good discussions with Philippe Denis, Director of the Sinomlando Oral History Centre, Radikobo Ntsimane, Deputy Director, Mxholisi Mchunu and Bongani Ndlovu, Msunduzi/Voortrekker Museum. We asked about contributions at the BASA conference in October. Important to have connections to research and universities.

• Interesting visits to museums and theme parks in Zululand (Fort Nongqayi in Eshowe, Ondini reconstructed royal residence, Mgungundlovu reconstructed royal residence and Shakaland historical theme park). Good discussions with the Program Manager Drika and the number one guide Richard at Shakaland.

• Need for a Time Travel coordinator in KwaZulu-Natal. A lot of the work is now relying on individual, engaged persons.


Way forward

• Port Shepstone article for the booklet “This place has meaning.”

• Meeting with the Primary School Time Travel Committee.

• Meeting with the Struggle and Secondary School group.

• Howard have regular discussions with the engaged persons in Umzumbe.

• KZN Museum Service has two interns helping in the Time Travel work.

• A conference committee to prepare for the BASA conference.

• Training in Sweden the last week of May and first week of June for three persons from Port Shepstone.

• Three people from Sweden will be back in Port Shepstone/KZN in October.

• National BASA conference 20-21 October. 22 October for the BASA board.

• A big Time Travel to 1905 with many learners and adults at the Port Shepstone harbour in October. Maybe 150 people. Small changes in the scenario, some intendured labour arrive. This is a contribution to the 150 anniversary of the first Indians arriving in South Africa.

• Develop a Time Travel site for Primary Schools: 1820s Zulu/Shaka site (some worriors stayed)?, Hindu temple?, San site? Other? Time Travel in October?

• Develop a Time Travel for Secondary Schools about the struggle/violence.

• Possible Oral History and interview training for the TT group.

• Time Travel in Umzumbe in October? Maybe at the site for the Bambatha rebellion trial. The women campaign against the passlaws has also been mentioned.

• Take the Time Travel method further in KwaZulu-Natal.

• Mark and Gulshera emphasize the need for future support and mentorship from Kalmar läns museum, guidance, training etc.

• A Time Travel coordinator in KZN is needed. Office at KZN Museum Service?

2010-03-27

Ebbe Westergren, Helen Eklund, Meg Johnson, Kalmar läns museum